Life insurance is something that helps your loved ones after you’ve passed away, right? It’s not something that can benefit you while you’re still living, is it?
Actually, that’s a common misconception.
Many people don’t realize that life insurance could represent a unique (and potentially valuable) option in your overall financial strategy, in some cases offering much more than just a death benefit to your beneficiaries.
When properly structured, a life insurance policy can provide several income benefits while you’re still living, including:
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Tax-deferred cash value growth potential
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Supplemental retirement income through tax-free policy loans or withdrawals*
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No required minimum distributions (RMDs)
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No 10% penalty tax for accessing policy cash values before age 59½
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Financial flexibility
* Policy loans and withdrawals are not usually subject to income tax unless the policy is classified as a modified endowment contract (MEC) under IRC Section 7702A. Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce available cash values and death benefits and may cause the policy to lapse. Additional premium payments may be required to keep the policy in force. In the event of a lapse, outstanding policy loans in excess of unrecovered cost basis will be subject to ordinary income tax. Tax laws are subject to change; consult a tax professional about your personal situation.